Interview with Irene Laureux from Remain in Light
Irène Laureux is a native Parisian and has lived in a lovely apartment at rue Rampon in the 11 th arrondissement for more than 50 years. She’s still a beautiful woman at age 69, an almost movie star quality about her with luxurious blonde hair, downturned mouth and inquisitive dark eyes. You could imagine her in one of Truffaut, Malle or Godard’s New Wave films. Madame Laureux works from home as a book editor for one of France’s most prestigious publishing houses. Her husband died in 1968 and Madame Laureux suffered from agoraphobia for many years, living as a virtual prisoner in her apartment. By chance, she met a young American writer named Martin Paige, who was staying at the hotel opposite her building, and through a series of extraordinary circumstances, she was able to overcome her fear of the outdoors. Madam Laureux kindly agreed to sit down and talk about her remarkable life over a glass of red wine and pack of Gauloises. CK: Tell me ab...